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Murphy's Christian Gentry, left, and Devontae Murray, right celebrate after they defeated Robbinsville 28-6 in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy head coach David Gentry addresses his team surrounded by Bulldog fans after they defeated Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

Murphy hosted Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A West regional final at Murphy High School on Dec. 7, 2018. The Bulldogs defeated the Black Knights 28-6 and will advance to the state championship game. Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com

JMB: They run the triple option on offense and they do a great job taking care of the ball. They have great athletes on both sides of the ball, including (senior) quarterback Lamont Murray, who is probably their best defensive player. They are not the biggest team but they play great assignment football, and on offense, if they can hit the outside, they've got the speed to rip off big plays.

Q: How do you think they match up against Murphy?

JMB: I think Pamlico County has to embrace the underdog role. This is the first time the program has made it to the state title game and they are facing a team with a lot of championship pedigree. A few years back this team went 2-10, so the turnaround has been real quick and rather impressive. They've dealt with some games this season that had a lot of hype, including a 61-0 loss to Tarboro, so I think they learned from that and will be ready for the atmosphere. We'll just have to see how they deal with the inexperience at the championship level.

Q: Would you say Pamlico County has played a tough schedule this year?

JMB: Their (Coastal Plains) conference is traditionally very good, but I think it was a little down this year with the exception of Tarboro. They had a really big win over Riverside near the end of the conference season, and I think since then, they had a relatively easy playoff schedule until last week's 16-12 regional final win over Rosewood. Coming off the bus, Pamlico didn't look like they could match Rosewood's size, but the Hurricanes found a way to win which was very impressive.

Q: How were they affected by Hurricane Florence?

JMB: This is a team that was very affected by Hurricane Florence. I was told of several players and coaches that were displaced and had flooding in their homes. They played their first football game after the hurricane while the high school was still closed. They were in a disaster area. For them to be in the state title game while the community is going through so much, is a really great thing.

Q: Who are some key players to watch out for?

JMB: The two speedsters to watch out for are sophomore running back Savone Tutt and junior Lamonti Lewis. Sophomore William Lovick plays fullback and is a great short yardage player. It's tough to stop him for anything less of three or four yards.

Q: What was the biggest win of the season?

JMB: Although beating Riverside was a great win, especially considering how athletic Riverside is, the win over Rosewood was the biggest. Rosewood (9-3) had a deceptive record and lost its first game to a 3A school and another game after its star player went down with an injury. Rosewood has a really good team and had a lot of size over Pamlico. But Pamlico showed they can attack a team bigger than them and find weaknesses.

Q: Anything to add?

JMB: I think Pamlico is a bit of a Cinderella team, and if they won, it would be a feel good story. But I do expect Murphy to be well-prepared for what Pamlico does with the triple option. It could come down to who makes a critical mistake or if Pamlico has some tricks up its sleeves.

Q: Can you give us a prediction?

JMB: 35-14 Murphy

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